This last week has been all about Wycombe's manager Lawrie Sanchez reliving memories of scoring the FA Cup final winner for Wimbledon in 1988. Last night he conjured up something just as dramatic to knock his old club out of this season's competition, book a sixth-round tie at Leicester and enhance his reputation as one of the country's best up-and-coming managers.

After seeing his Second Division side come back dramatically to equalise from 2-0 down in Saturday's first tie, he watched as they were reduced to 10 men but still displayed the never-say-die attitude that characterised the Wimbledon team Sanchez played in for 10 years.

They twice came back from a goal down to win 8-7 in the shoot-out after Wimbledon's Mark Williams missed the 20th penalty kick.

The rest of an unbelievably eventful plot had unfolded like this. First Wimbledon took the lead when Gareth Ainsworth grabbed a breakaway goal after Wycombe themselves had almost scored.

The visitors equalised when Andy Rammel's shot was parried by the Wimbledon keeper and the long-serving Dave Carroll converted the rebound.

Wycombe, however, were hit badly when Rammell, their leading scorer, had to limp off and his replacement Andy Baird was carried off on a stretcher four minutes later after an awful challenge from Williams. The defender was only booked.

Wimbledon dominated after the restart and Wycombe's hopes were further hit when Michael Simpson was sent off for a second yellow card on 70 minutes. But they looked to be holding on for extra-time when, with only a minute left, Wimbledon were awarded a penalty after Paul McCarthy appeared to handle Marcus Gayle's cross.

However, Martin Taylor saved Neal Ardley's penalty. Wycombe's relief was short lived. Thirty-four seconds into extra-time Wayne Gray picked up Jason Euell's knock-on and shot Wimbledon into the lead with his first senior goal.

This was both teams' third replay in this season's competition but it was Wycombe who were feeling the pressure as Taylor was forced into a great save to deny Euell.

As extra-time ticked away Wanderers' best run in this competition looked to be over. But with 30 seconds remaining they benefited from another slice of luck to go with their blatantly offside equaliser on Saturday.

Dannie Bulman, in front of goal, sliced his shot but it found McCarthy on the far post and he found the net. Wimbledon's manager Terry Burton protested so vehemently that McCarthy was offside that he was banished from the bench.

Burton watched from the stand as Wycombe won the shoot-out and perhaps the most famous victory in their history. Sanchez took the plaudits from the Wycombe faithful who made up half the crowd. He and his players deserved every cheer.